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1. John Heartsman – Silky Pete [Jazzman]
The fourth instalment in the Jazzman records HOLY GRAIL series and it’s a corker. Multi-instrumentalist and seasoned session man Johnny Heartsman's private press double LP from 1977 is drenched in the blues, managing to simultaneously offer spiritual earth, sister sass and serious chops thanks to the Circles. The album is a series of electrifying performances by the band in a small Sacremento jazz club, a place where each member felt free to fly and try. The full LP has been carefully repressed on vinyl (limited to copies only) and CD complete with extensive notes, pictures and background history. Life is better with this album.
2. Jose James – Code [Brownswood]
When Jose starts work on his third album for the mighty Verve label, he’ll be able to look back one fine day and be thoroughly proud of all he’s achieved at Brownswood. A 30,000-selling debut of exquisite vocal jazz bettered by a brave and at times phenomenal second album. He’s a mercurial vocalist and music mind in his own right, but combine that spirit with the studio wizardry of such people as Flying Lotus and you have a new form of jazz that’s capable of conquering the masses. Take a bow sir. As I said to Jose, I could listen to this track on loop until I die.
It’s so good to have Britain’s eccentric musical magpie back. Never short of an idea, or twist, he’s made ‘ONE ONE’, an album of Robert Wyatt-tinged tales of surreal revelry, with Matthew performing everything including lead vocals. A fascinating take on songwriting that should keep fans wondering until he releases ‘ONE CLUB’, an album of tunes made entirely from sounds recorded one night at the Robert Johnson nightclub in Frankfurt last year. The final part of the trilogy will be ‘ONE PIG’, a record made out of the life cycle of a pig. Yes, I’m also confused but happily so. Other projects include production for Eska’s debut album and a reimagining of Mahler’s 10th Symphony for Deutsche Gramofon.
>> matthewherbert.com
>> accidentalrecords.com
4. D’Angelo – 1000 Deaths [CDR]
Words can’t describe how desperate I am for this man to rise again, newly sharpened axe in hand, and bring some serious power to the stage. The track is unmastered, you can barely hear what D’s muttering but I guarantee you’ll still be tingling with the “fonk”. As you listen to the wayward singer mumble something about being over the hill, you sense the stakes are higher for Michael Archer in 2010 – it isn’t just about the sacred or the profane anymore; it isn’t even about the occult this time. No, D’Angelo is singing for his life. Let’s hope that higher purpose drives him to complete his third album for J Records before the 10th anniversary of ‘Voodoo’ is over. On the back of this, I dug out some vintage Lewis Taylor – ah the collab that never happened.
>> myspace.com/dangelo
5. Erykah Badu – Window Seat [CDR]
From one present day legend to another. Second leak from Badu’s eagerly awaited second part of the New Amerykah trilogy. Put simply, no one does soul better – and more intriguingly. Badu’s a student of sound but she’s still able to knock out a retro slow jam like this because she’s got that vibe every time she touches the mic. Badu says part II, ‘Return of the Ankh’, deals with a "spiritual and emotional" battle. Her sixth album's USB stick packaging includes extras ranging from footage of concerts, to commentary on the recording process. Expect transcendental production knock from the likes of Madlib, Georgia, Karriem Riggins and Shafiq Hussein.
>> erykahbadu.com
6. Shaunice – Abdullalim Commotion [Eglo]
Another precocious talent unearthed by Alexander Nut’s fledgling imprint, an artist with that little something extra. Almost extra-terrestrial vibe, directed not by fashions or influences, more by confluence of surroundings and spirit. Shaunice sings and raps with poise. Can’t wait for more.
>> myspace.com/fatimaworldwide
>> eglorecords.com
7. Corinne Bailey Rae – Closer [EMI]
The pop enchantress from Leeds is back and what a few years she’s had. Elation at conquering the world turned to tragedy when husband Jason died of an accidental drugs overdose. Now she’s overcome both heartache and sophmore album anxiety by stretching out with a raw and more energetic sound, exploring the knife edge between pleasure and pain ably abetted by right-hand man Steve Brown and a virtuoso band that includes Cinematic’s Luke Flowers on drums. This one is reminiscent of Minnie Riperton in her ‘Reasons’ era.
>> corinnebaileyrae.net
8. Fatima – Soul Glo [Eglo]
Recently, a friend of mine had the sheer cheek, or rather stupidity, to say that Fatima can’t sing live. Bollocks. He could only have been referring to the butch javelin thrower. This girl smashes it every time, whether it’s in the booth for Shafiq Husayn and Floating Points, fronting IG Culture’s Zen Badizm live project or appearing with Slum Village (check the video on her MySpace page). Some of you may be familiar with the speaker-smokin’ track ‘Kleer’ that she guested on last year. Well she’s hooked up with producer FunkinEven once more for this track, forthcoming on her debut EP ‘Mindtravelin’. Never straight up but always soul deep. Props for the Randy Coming to America Watson intro too! Sexual chocolate.
>> myspace.com/fatimaworldwide
9. Bill Withers – I’m Her Daddy [Columbia/Legacy]
The legendary singer songwriter has charmed his way back into the public consciousness thanks to the recent documentary ‘Still Bill’, a moving portrait of a pious, private and highly intuitive human being. And how could we forget the man who taught us about life (‘Grandma’s Hands’), love (‘Just The Two Of Us’), friendship (‘Lean On Me’) and war (‘I Can’t Write Left-handed’). If you’re in London on 21 February then why not book a ticket for the showing at the Prince Charles cinema at 13.00. All proceeds go to charity.
I have to admire how London producer Eric Lau finesses his tracks. There’s a lot of care and attention that goes into every composition – just check ‘One’, the instrumental of ‘Always Will’. The knock ain’t enough. And Eric’s beats must be addictive for me to spurn the vocal of Muhinsah. This is the second of three-part producer series from Kilowatt Music, which also features Kaidi Tatham and DC’s prolific Oddisee on the rhymes. Limited CD copies and even more limited 7”s. Collectors’ item for the beat connoisseurs.
Mr Dibiase is a highly respected veteran of the LA beat scene; he’s opened shows for GZA and MF Doom and collaborated with kindred spirits Ras G and Flying Lotus. His productions run from 8 bit classics to seductive soul to raw grungy bangers. He’s also prolific: this EP for Fat City is just an aside to the major takeover in 2010. Dibia$e’s ‘Lo Tech Mastery’ LP is in the process of getting mastered (“Daddy Kev is mastering this so the bass will be on steroids and extra slappin fo sho”) and the live show is coming to Europe. Also, check Myspace for updates on the Dibia$e x 14KT project, the free download of ‘Dibia$e presents Llamaville’ and the ‘Darkhorsemen Project’ where JonWayne rhymes over Dibia$e’s raw SP404 beats.
A tuff piece of upfront business from Alex Chase at One Handed Music. After kickin’ 16s on several Oddisee tracks, Tranqill is about to drop his debut EP for OHM, entitled ‘The Hidden Treasures’. “Four tracks of raw paranoia, and the kind of rough, spontaneous and impassioned hip hop that makes those vintage Wu Tang records so vital,” says Alex. Look out for a full album collaboration between Oddisee and Tranqill very soon.
>> myspace.com/onehanded
13. The xx – Islands (Nosaj Thing remix) [CDR]
LA producer Jason Chung, who delivered his stunning debut album ‘Drift’ last year, is also very imaginative when it comes to remixing other artists’ work (the wildly disparate likes of Drake, Radiohead and Charlotte Gainsbourg have had the privilege). This is one of his most recent, a spun out take on indie darlings The xx. Another California collagist doing extraordinary things with beats and pieces. Catch him dj’ing on 10 March at Fabric as part of the Red Bull Music Academy/Brainfeeder invasion.
>> nosajthing.com/?paged=4
14. Afrika Hi-Tech – Too Late [RBMA]
Mark Pritchard is a baadman. So many years in the game, and almost as many changes as Bowie – Global Communication, Troubleman, Harmonic 313 – yet he’s still desperate to blow your mind with bass and invention year after year. Afrika Hi-Tech is his rootical clubwise project with Steve Spacek. The EP is imminent on Warp. To get you in the mood this is a pre-summer ting from a recent RBMA sampler.
15. Breakage – Hard (ft Newham Generals & David Rodigan) [Digital Soundboy]
Another massive bass bomb from Digital Soundboy’s young gun. With sophmore album ‘Foundation’ dropping in February, the producer will prove he’s much more than a DnB man. As the original nutter Roots Manuva said, while working with Breakage on last year’s ragga dancehall anthem ‘Run Em Out’: “I’ve never heard someone so young use bass so excessively. Breakage has got an ear for a whole ‘nother level of frequency that a lot of people forgot about. Deep sub-sonic frequency. He’s going deep. He’s talking the sea life. The squid. It is squid? Na, the shrimp.” Yes, those are promo drops but you cares. Baad tune.
>> myspace.com/breakagedsb
>> digitalsoundboy.com
16. Raah Project – Will You Be There (Patchworks remix) [Summer Dawn]
When he’s not on Brownswood records detail or repping his ghetto fabulous Thug & Hugs night, Alex from Patchwork Pirates likes nothing more than a deep meditation, like this one involving Raah Project. Be sure to pick up the limited edition numbered 10" on Summer Dawn Records. The other retweak comes from man of the moment Blue Daisy.
Hessle Audio's eleventh release comes from James Blake, a 21-year-old from South London, who has previously released for Hemlock Recordings, as well as having an EP in the pipeline for R&S. ‘Give A Man A Rod’ is one of three tracks on the EP, which features some clever keys and pitched-down vocal work from the Mount Kimbie collaborator.
It’s impossible to leave Mr Orbison off a playlist when he continues to derange the senses like this. Ecstatic bass suites with sprinklings of deep soul vocal that touch the erogenous zones, all whisked with elements of funky, RnB, garage, dubstep and whatever else he cares to incorporate. I can’t describe it but oh can I feel it. Double-A side preshaaah.
19. James Fox – Put It Back (Ramadanman refix) [Take]
New house vibes from northerner James Fox, a newcomer to the TAKE stable. The dry four four, kicks, sweeping strings and deep stabs prove a simple but effective winner over seven engrossing minutes. However, we’ve opted for the carefully constructed two-stepper from Ramadanman on the flip. Like a second wind for the 3am crowd.
Respin of one last summer’s big records. The name is everywhere: funky champion Roska has imprinted his irresistible percussive sound on the club consciousness over the last few years with tracks like this. In between those kicks and snares is a load of bass, dirt and soul – the breakfast if champions. New tune ‘I Need Love’ is also worth picking up along with the self-titled album out on Rinse very soon.
>> roska.co.uk
21. 2 Bears – Be Strong [Southern Fried]
The 2 Bears is the union of Hot Chip’s production papa Joe Goddard and London dj Raf Daddy. Together they make serious house music with that early 90’s New Jersey/Chicago vibe but with an attitude that’s firmly rooted in present-day London town. The EP is imminent of Southern Fried records. Give ‘em a hug.
>> the2bears.co.uk/
22. Kuniyuki (ft Henrik Schwarz & Fumio Itabashi) – Once Again [Mule Musiq]
The third album from Kuniyuki Takahashi, ‘Walking In The Naked City’, is coming out in March on Mule Musiq. Here’s a house producer that always goes deeper than your average. As does Henrik Schwarz who features on vocals here, supported by the legendary jazz pianist Fumio Itabashi. Soulphiction is on remix duty – look out for that.
>> myspace.com/kuniyuki
>> mulemusiq.com
23. Black Coffee – We Are One [Soulistic Music]
I can’t stop listening to this tune. The Durban-born lynchpin of South Africa’s thriving house music scene hooks up with his Red Bull Music Academy “bra” from 2003, the legendary Hugh Masekela, for a song of “love and peace”. Simple. Definitely one to make you smile.
